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9/11 Terrorist Attack
On September 11th, 2001 two planes crashed into the North and South Twin Towers, The Pentagon, and an attempt to attack the White House. In total there were 2,819 people killed in the attacks and 20 percent of Americans knew someone hurt or killed in the attacks. -
U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan
The U.S. and NATO invaded Afghanistan on October 7, 2001 and overthrew the Al-Qaeda-supportive Taliban government. American troops then began to institute democracy, fight off any insurgents, and the search for Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. -
Homeland Security Act
11 days after the terror attacks of 9/11, Tom Ridge became the first Director of the Office of Homeland Security. It wasn't until November 25th, 2002, though, that the act to create Homeland Security was passed. This combined 22 federal departments into a single and unified department. -
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was an extremely powerful hurricane that caused enormous destruction and significant loss of life. It is the costliest hurricane to ever hit the United States. President Bush signed a $10.5 billion relief package and ordered 7,200 active-duty troops to assist with relief efforts. -
The Great Recession
The Great Recession of 2008 was caused by a confluence of factors, including lax regulations in the banking sector, financial speculation, and subprime lending. The housing market played a major role, with banks offering mortgages to borrowers who were unable to make their payments. The aftermath of the recession saw millions lose their jobs and homes, while businesses large and small suffered significant setbacks.